The café located in Louis Botha Ave in Ruyterwacht has been vacant for the last few months and reported numerous times to the different departments, residents say.
Yet, no one has come forward to take responsibility for the property.
According to Marius van Zyl, a Ruyterwacht resident, the property causes criminals to gain access via the roof.
The power box has also been forced open and the meter system and cables stolen, leaving the live wires bare and exposed.
“When crime takes place or someone is caught, no case is made,” Van Zyl says.
“This can be shut off and locked or welded closed, as the store is empty inside and stripped,” says Van Zyl.
According to him “the shop has now been empty for about a month or two, the guys living inside the store have taken out everything of value, leaving the store empty and vandalised.”
He also states that the only light close to the shop has been damaged and the area is pitch dark after hours, resulting in other elements gaining entry to the property via the roof. “The police and local community members helped catch the little kids who broke in via the roof. But with no one taking responsibility for this property, nothing has come once again from it,” says Van Zyl.
The City’s law enforcement department confirms that the building is not listed with the Problem Building Unit. Officers will conduct an onsite inspection and provide feedback on the matter.
- Residents are urged to report any criminal activity by phoning the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cell phone and 107 from a landline.
